Norinco SKS

Description

The Norinco SKS is a semi-automatic carbine chambered in 7.62x39mm.The Norinco SKS is a surplus-grade weapon and a replica of the Soviet made-SKS. Norinco is a Chinese engineering and manufacturing company.

Specifications

SKS

Caliber:

7.62x39mm

Capacity:

10

Sights:

Tangent rear sight with hooded front sight

Features:

Available with a detachable box magazine<br />Gas-piston operating system with tilting bolt; bayonet stud; and fixed magazine

Action:

Semi-auto

Stock:

Wood

Material/Finish:

Stamped steel

Weight:

8.5 pounds

Barrel Length:

20.5"

Overall Length:

40.2"

MSRP

$400.00

Editor Review

During the years prior to the infamous Clinton Assault Weapons ban, a gun buyer could pick up a Norinco SKS for under $70.00. At the time, many American gun owners were leery of the inexpensive guns because the quality was unknown.

Years later, however, the Nornico SKS has a reputation for being drop dead reliable and has passable accuracy.

At one time, you could also buy a thousand rounds of 7.62x39mm, which is the most common SKS caliber, for well below $100. Even today, it is an economical choice when compared to other calibers and makes a great mid-range choice for plinking or even self-defense.

Shooting the SKS is easy because the weight and large bolt absorb much of the felt recoil, although for many, the crude sights hinder accurate shooting. SKS rifles generally have a 10 round fixed magazine that can be loaded via stripper clips. Larger capacity fixed magazines with questionable reliability are available as well.

Some SKS aficionadas can load the gun with stripper clips with the same speed as loading a detachable magazine into an AR-15 or AK-47. It does take practice, however.

There is no question that the SKS, in any form, lacks the refinement of the AR-15 or many other western designed combat rifles. What it lacks in refinement is more than made up for in ease of use, reliability and by the fact that it is so much fun to shoot.

Because the SKS has a short barrel and stock they are easy to maneuver in a house and make a great home defense rifle in rural areas. However, the risk of over-penetration due to the velocity of the 7.62x39mm round makes the gun a risky home defense choice in a heavily populated area.

For those accustomed to high-end rifles, the SKS might seem a little crude, and truthfully, it is. But, an informal plinking session with the SKS is too much fun to put into words. Try it and you are likely to immediately run out and get one for yourself.

It is the kind of rifle you can put in the safe without cleaning after a shooting session and know it will fire the next time you make a trip to the range. The inexpensive price tag also means an errant fingerprint or rust spot won’t ruin your day.

SKS rifles aren’t fussy, ammunition sensitive or particularly nice to look at. Yet, they are perfectly suited to their role in the gun world as a simple utilitarian tool.

These days, you can’t get one for less than $70.00 anymore and ammunition prices have climbed as well. But, it still remains a great gun for a great price.